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Lubbock residents up and dancing for Randy Rogers Band concert

Thousands gathered for the Fourth on Broadway Street Dance on Friday in Lubbock. (Zach Long)

Thousands gathered for the Fourth on Broadway Street Dance on Friday in Lubbock. (Zach Long)

As she waited in line to enter the venue, Kathleen Baumann was excited to start dancing when The Randy Rogers Band took the stage Friday during the 4th on Broadway Street Dance at the courthouse grounds in Lubbock.

Baumann has been listening to The Randy Rogers Band for about seven years, but has never been to one of their concerts before.

“This is so exciting to be able to come here and see him,” said Baumann of Lubbock. “I know he’s been here before, but usually it’s at college hangouts so I’m excited it’s here. I’ve got three adult children and they love him, too.”

Clifton Wilkinson, president of Broadway Festivals’ board of directors, said the concert was one of two paid events during the 24th annual 4th on Broadway celebration. Other events, including a parade, concerts and fireworks at Mackenzie Park, were all free.

“What makes it special is it’s the largest free festival in Texas with (a huge) crowd,” Wilkinson said.

Despite the free events, hundreds of country music fans were willing to spend some money to watch The Randy Rogers Band perform.

Valerie Hood of Lubbock and her husband were also excited to hear some of their favorite tunes live.

“We’re big Texas country fans. We hadn’t seen Randy Rogers before,” Hood said. “His music is more upbeat. Me and my husband like to dance and get out here and have fun.”

Kyle Craig, a Lubbockite who now lives in San Antonio, was back in town for the holiday weekend.

“I’ve actually never seen him live, and I’m a big fan of Randy Rogers. This seemed like a good venue to do it,” Craig said.

Craig said his favorite Randy Rogers album is “Trouble,” which was released last year and took the No. 3 spot on the list of U.S. Billboard Country Albums.

“Man, I’ve been (listening to) that ‘Trouble’ album for a year and a half now,” Craig said. “Each album, to me, seems a little bit more progressive, like he’s gotten better on each one.”

As she stood in a crowd of country fans, Baumann enjoyed spending her Fourth of July with her family listening to local music.

“This is just fun. To me it’s just really fun to have this going on on the Fourth of July and the weather’s great,” she said. “He’s fun, he’s upbeat, he’s got a great two-stepping beat and I like to two-step, so this is great.”